There’s a lot of important work to be done this year. A key national focus will be to fight the TU Bill, so please support events locally and nationally, and get your workplace colleagues involved. Don’t forget we now have a Facebook Page too at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthamptonTUC/

Events

7th Sept: 7.30 Northampton Solidarity Network meeting on ‘The Left and the EU/Common Market In or Out – What’s the Socialist View? Northampton Working Men’s Club Sheep St. More details: Socialists and the EU 1

12th Sept: NTUC stall in town against the TU Bill. 11.00 Abington St Cobbler’s Last statue. Please let Graham know if you can help out secretary@ntuc.org.uk.

21st Sept: Full NBC Council Meeting 6.30 – NTUC hopes to give in a petition on the TU Bill. Print off copies and return by scan/email to secretary @ntuc.org.uk by the 18th Sept. Please get as many signatures from your workplace as possible – we need minimum 2000: trade union bill petition ntuc 2015

22nd Sept: Regional Public Rally against the TU Bill and Austerity, 7pm Church Room, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX. See here for poster and details of speakers.

24th Sept: Full NCC Council Meeting 10.30. NTUC hopes to give the petition in again (see 21st Sept).

24th Sept: 7.00pm NTUC open meeting with John Burgess Secretary of Barnet Unison ‘Defending Against The Outsourcing of Public Services’. John will be talking about Unison’s lengthy fight against the outsourcing of council services. This is very relevant to all employees of NCC and NBC so please get people along. https://www.facebook.com/events/893340927414542/

3 – 7 Oct: TUC and People’s Assembly events at the Conservative Party Conference, Manchester. See PA website for info including accommodation, transport and comedy night. Events timetable. TUC March and Rally on 4th, assembling at 12.00 at Oxford Rd for a rally at 1.00 and the march at 1.30. Local transport – does anyone have details of coaches? If so please contact me sarah@ntuc.org.uk and/or Graham at secretary@ntuc.org.uk. Lots more info on the PA’s website and the TUC.

At the time of writing, beware – I think the events tab on the PA site has been hacked, so don’t click on anything suspicious. My links still worked.

Trade unionists, grassroots activists & their families are supported at the Ron Todd House by providing practical solidarity in the form of food, washing facilities, a place to stay etc. We are seeing up to 30 trade unionists and their families a week seeking help and over the summer holidays we have been distributing hundreds of packed lunches each week to trade unionists who are struggling to make ends meet during these times of austerity.

Community Court Yard is aware that 1 in 5 young people in Northamptonshire are living in real poverty and through the Ron Todd Foundation, we are already planning for Christmas. We estimate that we will be distributing around 150 Christmas hampers to support those trade union members who will not have the financial resources to provide food and heating over the Christmas period for their family.

Family is extremely important, which is why we are asking our trade union family to support us in the task to give our brothers, sisters and their families an easier Christmas this year. We are asking trade union branches and activists to consider supporting this cause by either affiliating to the Ron Todd Foundation or to make a donation to Community Court Yard specifically for this project.

Liverpool Rd (off Deansgate), move off from 12.30, Rally Whitworth Park, Moss Side 2 to 4 approx. Unison is running a coach picking up from Northampton and Kettering with funding from the NTUC and the Regional TUC. Unison members wishing to book should contact Natalie Chadwick mob 07432688376 or email n.chadwick@unison.co.uk. Everyone else should contact Ron email Ron.Mendel@northampton.ac.uk or phone 07914502895. Please book asap if you intend to go. This is a really important demo.

Other events

13th to 15th Sept BookQfest: Launch 7pm on Friday 13th September organised by the Northampton Gay Book Group and BookQfest team. There will be an array of activities to enjoy across the whole weekend from readings and workshops to debates and book signings. For a full programme of what’s on please visit http://booqfest.webs.com/, and to book FREE places at any of the events contact the R&D Box Office. See booQfest_2013

Thursday 19th Sept: Probation Officers from NAPO will be taking their campaign against the tendering out of their services to the public over lunchtime. Details tba – I will send them round as soon as I can.

Sunday 22nd Sept Red Rope next walk. Lovely morning walk from Weedon, along the canal, across pastures to Church Stowe and back. Only 4.5 miles and possibility of lunch at the Crossroads pub. For details see Weedon Bec 22nd Sept 2013 2

Thursday 26th Sept: Demonstration at Northamptonshire County Council Full Council Meeting over Changes to Terms and Conditions

Staff at the County Council have been forced on to inferior terms and conditions, and as from September onwards will not be paid for the first 3 days of sickness absence. This is a further cut following the Pay and Benefits